Top 5 Greatest Ipswich Town Managers

This guide ranks the greatest Ipswich Town managers of all time based on their points per game, and their notable achievements:

RankManager NameTenurePoints Per Game (PPG)Notable Achievements

1Kieran McKenna2021-Present2.01Led Ipswich to promotion to the Premier League.

2George Burley1994-20021.6Managed the club to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League and UEFA Cup qualification.

3Sir Bobby Robson1969-19821.58Won the FA Cup in 1978 and UEFA Cup in 1981.

4Joe Royle2002-20061.54Took the team to the playoffs despite financial struggles.

5Sir Alf Ramsey1955-19631.46Won the Second Division and First Division championships.

READ ALSO: How Good Is Renato Veiga? (Biography, Playing Style, And History)
Who Are The Top 5?
1. Kieran McKenna

Kieran McKenna, currently serving as the manager of Ipswich Town is voted the greatest manager In Ipswich Town football history, and English football.
McKenna took over as Ipswich Town’s manager on December 16, 2021, after a successful stint as an assistant coach at Manchester United.
He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Ipswich, and his impact was almost immediate. In his first season (2021-22), Ipswich finished in 11th place in League One.
Although this was not a top finish, McKenna’s tactical skills and his ability to inspire the players were already clear. The real breakthrough was in the 2022-23 season when Ipswich Town achieved automatic promotion to the Championship by finishing second in the league.
This success was highlighted by an impressive 19-game unbeaten streak. McKenna’s time at Ipswich Town is notable for his impressive points per game (PPG) average of around 2.01.
This statistic shows his ability to get the best results from his team. His management style, which focuses on attacking football, helped make Ipswich one of the highest-scoring teams in their league.
During the 2023-24 season, the team continued to impress, scoring 92 goals. Under McKenna’s leadership, Ipswich Town has seen remarkable improvements and success.
His achievements earned him accolades such as the EFL League One Manager of the Month award and the LMA Manager of the Year award.
Despite interest from other clubs like Brighton and Chelsea, McKenna chose to extend his contract with Ipswich until 2028.
2. George Burley

George Burley is one of the most influential figures in Ipswich Town’s history, both as a player and as a manager. His connection with the club began when he played for Ipswich from 1973 to 1985.
His impact on the field was notable, having returned to the club as manager from 1994 to 2002. Burley’s time as manager began during a difficult period for Ipswich.
He made a difference, leading the team to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. His efforts in 2000 when Ipswich won promotion to the Premier League, defeating Barnsley 4-2 in the play-off final at Wembley.
This victory was a major milestone for the club as they returned to the top tier of English football. The 2000-01 season was remarkable under Burley’s leadership.
Ipswich finished in fifth place in the Premier League, which can be considered an impressive achievement for a newly promoted team.
This success earned them a spot in the UEFA Cup and showcased Burley’s managerial skills. He was honored as the Premier League Manager of the Season, becoming the first manager to receive this award without winning the league title.
His points per game (PPG) during his time was 1.60. Burley was known for his commitment to developing young talent.
He gave opportunities to emerging players like Kieron Dyer, Richard Wright, and James Scowcroft, integrating them into the first team and building a strong squad.
His focus on youth development was in line with Ipswich’s tradition of nurturing talent. Despite these successes, Burley’s later years at Ipswich were challenging.
The team faced difficulties after their initial Premier League success, leading to relegation. In 2002, after a tough season, Burley and the club parted ways by mutual agreement.
3. Sir Bobby Robson

Sir Bobby Robson is regarded as one of Ipswich Town’s greatest managers. His remarkable stint at Ipswich lasted from 1969 to 1982, during which he built a legacy that still connects with the club today.
Although he had some struggles saw his early years, he gradually transformed the team into a competitive force. However, In the 1972-73 season, Ipswich finished fourth in the First Division and won the Texaco Cup.
This success laid the foundation for what would become a golden era for the club. Throughout his time at Ipswich, Robson’s teams consistently performed well.
The club finished lower than sixth place only once in the nine seasons that followed his breakthrough. One of his most notable achievements was in 1978 when Ipswich won the FA Cup, defeating Arsenal 1-0 in the final.
However, Robson’s crowning achievement was in 1981, when he led Ipswich to victory in the UEFA Cup. The team triumphed over AZ Alkmaar with an aggregate score of 5-4.
Under Robson, Ipswich had a points per game (PPG) average of 1.58, however, In 1982, Robson left Ipswich to manage the England national team, leading England to the semi-finals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
READ ALSO: Who Is The Owner Of Fenerbahçe SK
4. Joe Royle

Joseph Royle is considered one of the best managers in Ipswich Town. Royle took over as Ipswich’s manager in October 2002, after the team was relegated from the Premier League and long-serving manager George Burley was dismissed.
Royle faced a tough situation when he arrived. The club was in financial trouble and entered administration from February to May 2003.
This meant the team had limited funds for transfers and lost some key players. Despite these challenges, Royle managed to steady the ship.
Under his leadership, Ipswich reached the playoffs in both 2004 and 2005. However, they fell short in the semi-finals both times, losing to West Ham United.
Royle was known for his attacking style of football, which the fans loved. He helped develop lots of players, including Shefki Kuqi, Darren Bent, and Tommy Miller.
These players played an important part in the club’s success during his time. Royle’s record at Ipswich was impressive, with a points per game (PPG) average of 1.54 over nearly four years.
Even though Royle’s spell faced difficulties, his time at Ipswich is often seen positively. By the time he left the club in 2006, Ipswich was in 15th place in the Championship, their lowest finish since 1966. Royle’s departure came after a challenging period with high player turnover and financial issues.
READ ALSO: Top 10 Muslim Football Players In Bundesliga (2024/2025 Season)
5. Sir Alf Ramsey

Sir Alf Ramsey is remembered as one of the greatest football managers, mostly for his time at Ipswich Town. Before becoming a manager, Ramsey had a successful playing career.
He was a fantastic right-back for Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur and earned 32 caps for the England national team, scoring three goals.
However, Ramsey began his managerial career at Ipswich Town in 1955, taking on the role of player-manager. He soon focused entirely on management and made an impact.
Ipswich Town achieved remarkable success under him. In the 1956-57 season, he led the team to win the Third Division title.
The following decade, Ipswich won the Second Division title in the 1960-61 season. Then in the 1961-62 season, Ipswich won the First Division title.
Ramsey’s spell at Ipswich lasted until 1963, during which he managed 369 matches, earning a points-per-game average of 1.46.
His record includes 176 wins, 75 draws, and 118 losses. In 1963, Ramsey moved on to manage the England national team, and he achieved legendary status.
He guided England to victory in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, making him the first English manager to win this prestigious tournament.
Ramsey’s tactics, including the famous “wingless wonders” formation, changed how the game was played internationally. However, his time with England lasted until 1974, during which he had a win percentage of 61.1%.
After leaving the England role, Ramsey had a brief stint managing Birmingham City in the 1977-78 season before retiring.
He was knighted in 1967 for his contributions to football, becoming the first English manager to receive such an honor. Sadly, Sir Alf Ramsey passed away on April 28, 1999.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.



Source link